Marino Ballena Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Marino Ballena National Park’s reef system is made up of 70 breathtaking kilometers of rock pinnacles, islands, reef walls and amazing underwater sea mounts. The park is home to one of the most biologically diverse marine habitats in Costa Rica. Approximately 70 species of marine life including humpback whales, brydes, orca, false orca, pilot, spotted dolphins, spinner dolphin, bottle-nose dolphin, sharks, crabs, starfish, worms, sea snakes, lobsters, sponges and mollusks. The Park contains a total of 18 coral species making it one of the best places to observe corals in the pacific south of Costa Rica
Start time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm /
Duration: 3-4 hours approximately
Price: snorkeling US $85 per person (2 areas) / scuba US $100 per person (2 tanks)
Limited to: Ages 10 years and over, minimum 5 people
Includes: National Park fees, equipment, guide, fruit and water
Cano Island Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
Cano Island is a little world within itself, both in space and time. This protected national park is made up of 320 terrestrial hectares and 5’800 marine hectares, and has a manned year round park ranger station. Its waters hold one of the most extensive and healthy coral reefs of the whole countries pacific coast, and on the island you are still able to find remnants of ancient stone spheres made by indigenous civilizations. It is a popular tourist destination, and attracts its visitors for its fine sand beaches and coral reefs teeming with life.
The coral wall and base are principally dominated by the Porites Lobata (also known as lobe coral), the most abundant of the island. Eleven species of Octocorallia (water-based organisms formed of colonial polyps) have also been found. The marine wildlife consists of manta rays, dolphins, sea turtles, whales, white fin sharks and a great variety of different fish types. On the way to Cano Island you will spend most of the boat trip on the open ocean, looking at our coastline and its lush mountains and it is likely that you will be able to see many dolphins, turtles and even whales!
Once you arrive at the island, you will dive or snorkel two different locations where the visibility typically exceeds 80 feet. There is a great variety of animal life as well as coral islands, which provide shelter to this ecosystems fauna. For those that enjoy scuba diving, a whole other world awaits farther below. Exploring the reef walls and its inhabitant corals other marine plants, you will descend up to 60 feet and swim along many reef fish, big pelagics (middle depth coastline fish), giant manta rays, white finned sharks, turtles and much more. The tour operates with small groups and well maintained professional equipment, keeping it friendly and safe which is a big plus.
Start time: 7:00 am to 4:00 pm
Duration: Whole day trip
Price: snorkeling US $130 per person (2 areas) / scuba US $175 per person (2 tanks)
Limited to: Ages 10 years and over, minimum 2 people
Includes: National Park fees, equipment, guide, snacks, beverages and lunch
